Dark Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

I love chocolate.  I reallllly love chocolate.  I seek out ways to consume it without going crazy with calories and sugar, and this recipe definitely hits the mark.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. Almond Milk (unsweetened)
• 2 tbsp. Chia Seeds
• 2 tsp. Stevia in the Raw
• 1 1/2 tbsp. Dark Cocoa Powder (I used Hershey Special Dark, unsweetened)
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

• Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl
• Refrigerate 2-3 hours until the Chia Seeds have expanded and the mixture thickens

Blueberry, Banana, Almond Baked Oatmeal

No matter the season, oatmeal is always one of my go-to items for breakfast.  When I prepare ahead, the concoctions I make can usually be eaten hot or cold, so depending on the day, I may warm it up, or keep it chilled.  This particular mixture tasted AWESOME cold, and since it was 90 degrees all week, I ate it that way all week.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Steel Cut Oats (I use Bob's Red Mill)
• ¼ cup Sliced Raw Almonds, divided in half
• ½ tsp. Baking Powder
• ¾ tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• Pinch of Salt
• ¼ cup Agave Nectar
• 1 cup Coconut Almond Milk (I used Blue Diamond, unsweetened)
• ¼ cup Egg Substitute (I use Better n' Eggs)
• 2 tbsp. Unsweetened Applesauce
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 3 Ripe Bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup Blueberries, divided
• 2 tbsp. Flax Seeds
• 2 tbsp. Chia Seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. 

3.  Mix the oats, almonds, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.

4.  In a small bowl, combine agave, milk, egg beaters, butter, and vanilla

5.  Slice the bananas, and spread in a single layer over the bottom of the baking dish.  Top with half the blueberries

7.  Pour the dry ingredient mixture over the fruit evenly

8.  Pour the liquid ingredients evenly over the oats.

9.  Sprinkle the remaining blueberries and almonds over the top.

10.  Bake  35-40 minutes, until top is browned and oats set.

I sliced this into 5 portions and brought them to work with me every day last week.  YUM

Roll with the Pumpkins...

The pumpkin chocolate chip cookies were a huge hit at work!  I'm still craving fall flavors, so for tomorrow's breakfast, I just made a delicious batch of overnight oats!

1/2 cup Steel Cut Oats
1/2 cup Canned Pumpkin (leftover from yesterday!)
1/2 cup Blue Diamond Unsweetened Original Almond Milk
2 tsp. Truvia
Lots of Cinnamon and Nutmeg
10 Raw Unsalted Almonds

Mix together, and refrigerate over night!

"Ice cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal" - Voltaire

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.  Well, maybe not all of us (*brad*), but I certainly do.  As you all know, I have embarked on the lovely road of lifestyle change, but I don't think I will ever be able to leave my desire for ice cream behind.  And thanks to weight watchers, I really don't have to.

However, today I came across a recipe for a fantastically guilt free homemade frozen treat compliments of the lovely Jamie Eason (see prior posts for more on my love of all things JE).

Here's the recipe for the creamy frozen deliciousness:

Fill a large ziploc bag with ice cubes and 1/2 cup of table salt.

In a separate, smaller ziploc bag, combine:

• 1 cup almond milk (I use Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze)
• 2 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. Truvia

Seal up the smaller bag, and put it in the larger bag with the ice and salt.  Seal the big bag, and shake vigorously for 5-8 minutes until the "ice cream" mixture firms up (bonus, your arms get a good workout before you can enjoy the fruits of your labor).   Put it in a bowl, and ENJOY!!

The best part of this whole operation is that this entire 1 cup of creamy deliciousness is just 40 calories and 3.5 grams of fat (if you use the unsweetened almond milk).  Jamie also adds that if you add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the mixture, it can be a great post-workout snack.  I couldn't agree more!!!

So thank you, Jamie Eason, for showing me how to make my love of all things creamy and frozen carry over into my new, healthier, lifestyle.

Step 1 - Salt and Ice

Step 2 - Almond Milk, Vanilla, Truvia

Step 3 - Little Bag Into Big Bag

Step 4 - MMMMMM

On a sidenote, I'm sure a lot of you are fans of Tofutti's products, and I myself enjoy them as well.  However, more and more studies are showing the dangers for females who consume excessive amounts of soy on a daily basis.  I have become much more conscious of my soy intake recently.  For all intents and purposes, I am a vegetarian (with the occasional chicken breast thrown in a couple times a month), so I used to rely on soy as a protein source quite often.  I have since incorporated more whole grains, legumes, and whey protein into my diet and cut way back on the soy products.  I still eat edamame a few times a week, but I keep it to no more than 3 servings a week. 

I'm off to enjoy my "ice cream" :o)